Concordia students Looking to Take Control of its Food System

Aramark is a multinational corporation which has operated Concordia’s food system, most notably food provided to students in residences, and all non-student run food services on both campuses. However, Aramark has had a bad rep, as it provides food to prisoners in the United States, where some of the meals they have provided have been served uncooked, with maggots and in small portions. Some students and faculty are trying to generate change so Aramark is no longer in control at Concordia. Local 514 investigates...

Local 514 speaks to professor Erik Chevrier and researcher Shylah Wolfe on how Concordia's food system can be run by students. Chevrier says this will be more sustainable and both socially and environmentally friendly, leading to less food waste and not being run by a corporation which is also involved in the prison system.

So how does this connect to Montreal? As the University of Winnipeg has created a cooperative food system, a food system run by students, Wolfe cites them as a good example. But if Concordia were to become a cooperative food system, then this may generate interest for other universities to follow suit, and reduce support and funding towards corporations involved in the prison system. This would also give students an opportunity to share their input in Concordia's food system. 

Concordia's food contract is up for renewal in 2022, with no confirmed date released by the university. However, Chevrier has been pushing for a change for the last 20 years, being apart of the Concordia Food Coalition, to end corporations control over the food system.